A schoolboy who took police on a high-speed car chase around a town has been told he faces jail.

Magistrates told the 14-year-old the matter was so serious only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

Blaydon juvenile court was told officers in a police car saw the youth behind the wheel.

The officers switched on the car siren and blue lights as a signal to the driver to stop but he sped off.

Alan Hume, prosecuting, told how the police car gave chase but the youth carried on driving through Gateshead's streets.

A second police car joined the chase and officers nearby were alerted.

The youth drove at speeds of 60mph in 30mph limits, narrowly missing parked cars and forcing other drivers to swerve out of his way. The chase started in Meresyde, into Colegate, Wealcroft, Staneway, Woodburn, Whitehouse Drive, Stone Street, Windy Nook Road, Carr Hill Road and finally ended in Gainsborough Crescent.

Pedestrians too were at risk, as the car zig-zagged across streets.

The youth failed to stop at junctions, turning left and almost losing control of the car on several occasions.

In a bid to stop the youth, police stopped traffic at a road junction and positioned a police car to block the road.

But the youth accelerated straight at the police car, smashing into the offside, then mounted the pavement and drove off.

The chase ended when police saw the driver and an older youth leap out of the car as it was moving.

The car then smashed into a wall and police gave chase on foot. The driver was caught but the passenger escaped.

When the driver was questioned at Gateshead police station, he said the car had just been bought by an older youth. He readily admitted what he had done and said he was trying to evade capture by the police.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving without a licence and without insurance.

The chairman of the court told him: "This matter is so serious only a custodial sentence is suitable."

The magistrates ordered reports and the youth was given unconditional bail until he is sentenced on April 27.

NAfter a trial the youth was cleared of assaulting one of the officers who arrested him.